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Synonyms

normative

American  
[nawr-muh-tiv] / ˈnɔr mə tɪv /

adjective

  1. of or relating to a norm, especially an assumed norm regarded as the standard of correctness in behavior, speech, writing, etc.

  2. tending or attempting to establish such a norm, especially by the prescription of rules.

    normative grammar.

  3. reflecting the assumption of such a norm or favoring its establishment.

    a normative attitude.


normative British  
/ ˈnɔːmətɪv /

adjective

  1. implying, creating, or prescribing a norm or standard, as in language

    normative grammar

  2. expressing value judgments or prescriptions as contrasted with stating facts

    normative economics

  3. of, relating to, or based on norms

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • non-normative adjective
  • normatively adverb
  • normativeness noun
  • unnormative adjective

Etymology

Origin of normative

First recorded in 1875–80; norm + -ative

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“I’m just excited that there is more exposure that people are having to queer and trans people and to queer relationships, and how that can fit in the context of a ‘normative’ world,” they add.

From Los Angeles Times

Recent studies, including our own, have shown that when we use AI for guidance, our interests become more normative and less diverse.

From Salon

“The majority of posts presented a weight normative view of health, with less than 3% coded as weight-inclusive,” the study reported.

From Salon

As we have seen with Project 2025 and Agenda 47, they have a theory of human nature, a set of normative priors and beliefs, and a plan to remake society in that image.

From Salon

So it has tricky normative implications, in my view.”

From Salon